THE Osun State Police Command has rescued a 50-year-old kidnap victim, Haruna Yusuf, following a fierce gun duel with suspected kidnappers along the Ife-Ibadan expressway.
Parading suspects at the command headquarters on Wednesday, Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed that over N2.2 million in ransom money was recovered during the operation.
According to the CP, the arrest followed a report received on 9 July 2026 that Yusuf, a herdsman, had been abducted by four suspected kidnappers near Wasinmi Village along the Ife-Ibadan expressway.
The command immediately launched a search operation in collaboration with local vigilantes, combing surrounding forests and adjoining pathways. The case was subsequently transferred to the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for tactical investigation.
Gotan explained that intelligence gathered by the anti-kidnapping unit enabled officers to monitor the ransom payment process to a designated drop-off point at Majeroku along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway on 12 July.
“The VCRU operatives conducted an intelligence-driven, coordinated operation in close monitoring of the ransom payment process,” Gotan stated. “The team successfully rescued the victim unhurt. The kidnappers, on sighting the operatives, opened fire and the police equally responded professionally, leading to a gun duel during which some of the suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries, one was arrested, while others fled.”
The injured suspect was immediately taken to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital for medical treatment and is currently responding to treatment. The sum of N2,217,800 was recovered at the scene as proceeds of ransom. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the kidnapping gang terrorising the area.
In a related development, the CP disclosed that the Anti-Cultism Section of the VCRU arrested three suspected members of the Alora secret cult over alleged involvement in violent activities around Iree in Boripe Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Michael Oluwatobi, 23; Busayo Joseph, 22; and Abu Azeez, 23. They were arrested on 14 July 2026, and a thorough investigation has been ordered to establish the extent of their involvement and identify other members of the alleged criminal network.
Gotan commended the courage and professionalism of officers involved in the rescue operation and appealed to parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to the police.
